34 Local Residents Receive Adult Scholarship Funding for Spring Semester 2025
Selected students receive scholarships up to $2,500 for college or vocational training
Macon and Piatt County – Thirty-four Macon and Piatt County residents are receiving $60,000 in educational scholarships through a competitive program coordinated by The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation (HICF). This scholarship cycle is the first to welcome applications from adults residing in all three counties in the HICF service area. This semester’s individual awards range from $1,000 to $2,500. Since inception in 2020, the adult scholarship program is possible thanks to generous individuals, families, and organizations, granting up to $100,000 annually.
The adult scholarship program represents an investment in workforce development supporting individuals seeking further education in critical need fields. This scholarship cycle, nine new recipients are pursuing degrees in education, two recipients are pursuing degrees in business, and two are pursuing doctorate level degrees in nursing (DNP).
New Adult Scholarship Recipients Spring 2025
- Amber Goebel, American College of Education
- Rebecca Harding, Millikin University
- Tracy Hayward, Rockhurst University
- Kelly Hill, University of Illinois Chicago
- Mary Jenkins, Grand Canyon University
- Veronica Jones, Illinois State University
- Stacy Marksberry, American College of Education
- Allison Nolen, University of Illinois Springfield
- Holly Ravenscraft, American College of Education
- Kelsey Rigsby, Eastern Illinois University
- Lydia Strand, Indiana University Indianapolis
- Lafecia Taylor, Millikin University
- Julie Turner, Eastern Illinois University
Renewing Adult Scholarship Recipients Spring 2025
- Brooke Bates, Mississippi State University
- Lillian Briscoe, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Nathaniel Cardinal, Wilmington University
- Nikki Eagler, American College of Education
- Jami Fawley, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Denise Flexser, Grand Canyon University
- Natasha Hamilton, Millikin University
- Tara Hubbard, Grand Canyon University
- Alexa Jones, Eastern Illinois University
- Serena Klaves, University of Illinois Springfield
- Evan Klaves, Midstate Electrical Training Center
- Garrett McMillion, Midstate Electrical Training Center
- John Meek, Midstate Electrical Training Center
- Abigail Norman, American College of Education
- Joshua Platzbecker, Millikin University
- Raphaella Prange, Maryville University
- Allison Shuppara, Ohio University
- Kati Smith, North Central College
- Andrew Taylor, Millikin University
- Tamika Thomas, Indiana-Wesleyan University
- LaMarcus Williams, Midstate Electrical Training Center
Adults and Graduating High School Seniors have the opportunity to apply for Fall Semester 2025 scholarship funding when the application portal opens on January 1, 2025 at heartofillinois.org. Completed applications are due by March 1, 2025 (11:59 PM). Questions about the Adult Scholarship Program should be directed to HICF Director of Scholarships and Grant Administration, Andrea Gerhard, at agerhard@heartofillinois.org or 217.429.3000.
